Malaga vs Sporting de Gijon preview - Pellegrini hopeful over Champions League chances

Posted Sunday, May 13, 2012 by PA

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini has praised his players for how they have handled the pressure in the final weeks of the season as they try to seal Champions League football for the first time.

The Andalusians will guarantee their place in fourth with a win over relegation threatened Sporting Gijon on Sunday, but the Chilean is aware that Sporting still have plenty to play for themselves and will not make things easy for his side.

He told the club's website: "It has been a long week but the squad has managed the anxiety well and it would be ideal to complete the campaign we have had by achieving qualification for the Champions League in front of our own fans.

"Sporting will come to play for their last chance to avoid relegation and there is no Sporting player that is interested in Malaga at this moment."

Pellegrini will be able to recall Joris Mathijsen as the Dutch international has recovered from the injury that has kept him out in recent weeks, but Weligton is suspended so Martin Demichelis will retain his place in central defence.

Sporting manager Javier Clemente is still hoping for a miracle to save his side as they need to win and hope results go their way in elsewhere to have any chance of avoiding the drop and the former Spain coach is aware of the task facing the Asturians.

He told a press conference broadcast on the club's website: "Malaga have a great team, with a fantastic attack and it is a club that has invested a lot of money.

"The first thing is to win and then wait for the miracle. Malaga is also playing for a lot, their prize is the Champions League and that means a lot of money.

"It is a very serious match, but all teams have their weak points and we have to expose Malaga's."

Alberto Botia and Miguel de las Cuevas are available for selection again as they return from suspension and injury respectively, but youngster Formose Mendy has joined Sporting's growing injury list with a hamstring problem.